Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota, a forward for Liverpool F.C. and the Portugal national team, has died in a car crash in Spain, just days after marrying his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso. He was 28.
According to ESPN, Jota — born Diogo José Teixeira da Silva — was killed alongside his brother, André Silva, in a crash near Cernadilla, Spain, shortly after midnight on Thursday.
Authorities reported that the brothers were traveling in a Lamborghini that appeared to have lost a tire, causing the vehicle to crash. Firefighters arriving at the scene found the car engulfed in flames, along with surrounding vegetation. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
The tragedy came just days after Jota and Cardoso celebrated their wedding on June 22. The couple, who shared three children, had recently posted joyful images from the ceremony. Cardoso, now a widow, had shared a heartfelt wedding photo with her 300,000 Instagram followers. Just hours before his death, Jota had posted a wedding tribute to his own 3.5 million followers, writing, “A day we will never forget.”
News of Jota’s sudden death sent shockwaves through the football community.
Cristiano Ronaldo shared an emotional tribute on Instagram:
“Doesn’t make any sense,” the Portuguese star wrote. “Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you were married. To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot also expressed his sorrow in a statement on the team’s official website:
“The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding. In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this.”
“My condolences go to Diogo’s wife, Rute, their three beautiful children, and to the parents of Diogo and André Silva.”
Bruno Fernandes, captain of Manchester United and Jota’s Portugal teammate, shared a photo of the two embracing during a match:
“Friend, colleague, and companion in a thousand battles. It’s hard to understand how someone can leave so early. May you and your brother find the peace you need to look after those who lost you so suddenly and so soon.”
Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 and quickly became a fan favorite, helping the club secure its first Premier League title in May. His death marks a devastating loss for both club and country.